calcium mobilization is known to be an important factor in the activation of cells involved in inflammation,so,calcium-channel antagonists are be expected ti exhibit antiinflammatory activity.in the present study,we evaluateted the antiinflammatory effects of two calcium channel blockers,verapamil and nifedipine on adjuvant induced chronic in flammation in rat paw.sixty adult male rats were divided into 5 groups.chronic paw edema was induced by intraplantar injection of 0.1 ml of freunds complete adjuvant(FCA).inflammatory edema measured in 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,14,21, and 28 days after adjuvant inoculation.verapamil(25mg/kg),nifedipine(100mg/kg),ibuprofen(12mg/kg)
with DMSO(dimethyl sulphoxide) were given to animals daily through intragastric device from day 7 after adjuvant injection.assessment of edema proformed by calculation of volume changes and by extravasation of Evans blue (E.B.) in the test groups compared to the control.FCA caused a remarkable incerase in paw edema (0.8+_0.05 ml)after 28 days.verapamil significantly redused the paw edema(62.5%) at day 28.A market inhibition was indused by mifedipine(50%) and ibuprofen(60%).No significant differences were found between inhibitory effects of ibuprofen and other drugs.Non of the drugs have any effect on the extravasation of E.B. these data suggest that calcium channel blockers,inhibit adjuvant induced chronic inflammation in rats and these effects are comparable to that of ibuprofen.